# Fjord Oslo: Norway’s Capital Celebrates Peace at Light Art Festival

International artists transform Oslo into an open-air gallery exploring themes of global peace.

- **Source:** [Euronews – Culture](https://www.euronews.com/culture)
- **Published:** 2026-11-08
- **Topic:** [culture](https://brifing.si/c/culture)
- **Original article:** <https://www.euronews.com/2026/11/08/fjord-oslo-norways-capital-celebrates-peace-at-open-air-light-art-festival>
- **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/8381b35b-c59a-4c46-9a85-af9b59172743

## Fifth Edition of Fjord Oslo

The Norwegian capital is currently hosting the fifth edition of Fjord Oslo, an international festival dedicated to outdoor light art. This year, the event features installations scattered throughout the city, including displays at the Nobel Peace Center. These works aim to illuminate public spaces while fostering dialogue on complex societal themes.

## Focus on Peace Themes

This year's festival explores the concept of peace through art and shared human experiences. The project is part of the European Union-funded initiative titled IMAGINE PEACE. Organizers aim to address multifaceted topics including resilience, freedom, war, and coexistence, encouraging visitors to reflect on peace at both personal and global levels.

## Symbolic Location Choice

Festival organizer and light artist Anastasia Isachsen emphasizes that hosting the event in Oslo carries unique significance. As the home of the Nobel Peace Prize, the city provides a poignant backdrop for the project. Isachsen hopes the festival sends a strong message by challenging participants to imagine peace in diverse, meaningful ways.

## Global Perspectives on Peace

Croatian artist Marko Bolkovic led an interactive project involving participants from six different countries. His team asked individuals to define peace using only one word. Responses varied significantly, ranging from personal connections like 'mother' and 'friendship' to broader concepts, highlighting that peace is perceived differently depending on individual life experiences.

## Art as a Catalyst

Visitor Ulrich Lauridsen suggests that while art may not directly stop active wars, it serves a crucial role in shifting public consciousness. He believes that artistic expression encourages more people to advocate for peace, emphasizing that life is too precious for ongoing conflicts, thereby influencing the collective desire for global stability.

## Freedom and Coexistence

Kenyan visitor Faith Imani defines peace primarily through the lens of freedom. For her, the concept encompasses the liberty to exist, move freely across the world, and coexist with others. This perspective underscores the festival's goal of examining peace as a fundamental human right rather than just a political state.

## Public Space Transformation

The installations are strategically placed across Oslo, turning buildings and public squares into immersive canvases. By integrating art into the daily environment, the festival ensures that the message of peace reaches a wide audience. This approach removes the barriers of traditional galleries, making the discourse accessible to every city resident.

## Cultural Diplomacy Impact

By aligning with the IMAGINE PEACE project, Fjord Oslo functions as a platform for cultural diplomacy. The festival demonstrates how creative initiatives can bridge international divides by focusing on shared values. As the event concludes, its lasting impact remains in the conversations it sparked regarding the necessity of global harmony.

## Sources covering this story

- https://www.euronews.com/2026/11/08/fjord-oslo-norways-capital-celebrates-peace-at-open-air-light-art-festival — 

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_Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._
